Chancellor Rachel Reeves has broken her silence about the emotional moment that saw her in tears during a parliamentary session earlier this year, admitting she would have made different choices if given the chance to relive that difficult day.
The emotional moment that sparked speculation
In July of this year, the Chancellor became the centre of intense political speculation when she was observed weeping in the House of Commons while seated beside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. The visible distress during Prime Minister's Questions immediately triggered rumours about her future in the Treasury and caused significant turmoil in financial markets.
Speaking to The Times ahead of delivering her second Budget as Britain's first female Chancellor, Ms Reeves expressed regret that her "difficult moment" was broadcast live to the nation. "Most people have had a day at work when they go into the toilets and have a cry, or say to their boss, 'I'm just going home early'," she revealed.
"Unfortunately, my difficult moment was on live TV. I always go to PMQs - I thought it was my duty to be there - but if I had that day again, I wouldn't have gone into the chamber."
Balancing personal life with political pressure
The Chancellor, who had previously attributed her emotional state to dealing with a "personal issue," maintained her privacy about the specific reasons behind her upset. "If you weren't recording this, I'd tell you about what was going on, but I'm not saying that to the world," she told the interviewer.
Ms Reeves emphasised her desire to be seen as a competent economic manager rather than a public personality. "People don't want to read about my recipe for Yorkshire puddings or what really made me cry," she stated. "What they really want to know is that they can trust me with their money, to run the economy."
The Chancellor also spoke candidly about the challenges of protecting her family from the pressures of her high-profile role. She and her husband, senior civil servant Nick Joicey, make conscious efforts to shield their two children from the political spotlight. "There are worse things to happen, I guess, than living in Downing Street," she acknowledged. "But it's not normal and kids want to be normal. We don't have the radio on during breakfast. We try to keep political stuff away from them."
Looking ahead to the November Budget
With her second Budget scheduled for 26 November, Ms Reeves finds herself under intense scrutiny following recent policy reversals, including a chaotic U-turn on plans to raise income tax. She is expected to announce a "smorgasbord" of other tax increases to address what is believed to be a multi-billion pound shortfall in public finances.
The Chancellor didn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges faced by the Labour government since their election victory in July 2024, admitting there had been "a couple of unforced errors" but maintaining that "We're fighting to win."
Ms Reeves also expressed frustration with being on the receiving end of unsolicited advice, stating she was "sick of people mansplaining how to be Chancellor to me" as she prepares for the crucial fiscal statement.
Her father, Graham, provided insight into the personal toll the position has taken, telling The Times: "Rachel recognises it's part of the job, but the pressure does seem to have been relentless, while much of it is also pretty unpleasant and unfair. She'll come through it because she's always been a very determined and hard-working person. But some things hurt her, I think, more than she lets show."
Both Ms Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer face significant pressure in the lead-up to the Budget, with questions circulating about their political futures at Westminster. The Chancellor's emotional revelation provides a rare glimpse into the human side of high-level politics and the personal costs of public service.
